Special Needs Caregiver Tips and Strategies Signs and Symptoms of the Most Common Behavior Disorders in Children By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, international bestselling author and host of the Mentally Strong People podcast. Learn about our editorial process Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD on November 10, 2019 facebook twitter linkedin Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. Learn about our Review Board Carly Snyder, MD on November 10, 2019 Print Brad Killer / Getty Images Behavior disorders are more than just occasional temper tantrums or defiant behavior. Genuine childhood behavior disorders are much more serious. A child with a diagnosable behavior disorder experiences behavior problems that are severe enough to interfere with school performance or relationships with friends and family. Behavior disorders can get worse over time without treatment so it’s important to get a child evaluated by a qualified mental health professional if you suspect a behavior disorder. The Most Commonly Diagnosed Behavior Disorders in Children There are several different types of behavior disorders found in children and teens, and sometimes children have more than one. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders. There are three main types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Types of ADHD Predominantly hyperactive-impulsivePredominantly inattentiveCombined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive Common symptoms of ADHD include: Difficulty focusingProblems processing information quickly and accuratelyDisorganizationDifficulty following instructionsTalking incessantlyInability to sit stillTrouble participating in quiet activitiesImpatienceBlurting out answers or saying inappropriate commentsDoing things without considering the consequences Although medication can be helpful in reducing the symptoms in some children, parenting interventions can also be helpful in reducing a lot of behavior problems associated with hyperactivity and impulsivity. Sometimes children with ADHD also have an oppositional defiant disorder. Oppositional Defiant Disorder Oppositional defiant disorder is characterized by persistent defiance and disobedience toward authority figures. Symptoms may include: Frequent arguing with adultsDeliberately annoying other peopleRefusing to follow rulesBlaming others for mistakesBecoming easily angeredBehaving in a vindictive manner Children with ODD display symptoms at home, at school, and in other environments. Their behavior usually leads to a need for frequent disciplinary action and they tend to struggle to get along with their peers. Without intervention, ODD may develop into conduct disorder. 10 Ways to Respond to Defiance Conduct Disorder Conduct disorder involves a repetitive pattern of violation of other people’s rights or persistent violation of age-appropriate social rules. Conduct disorder often includes: Physical aggression toward people or animalsUse of a weapon, such as a bat, knife, or gunStealingForcing someone into sexual activityDeliberate fire settingDestruction of property and vandalismLying to obtain goods or to avoid obligationsRunning away from homeSkipping schoolStaying out late at night despite curfew rules Children with conduct disorder are frequently suspended from school. They may require police intervention and sometimes, they abuse drugs or alcohol. Adolescents with conduct disorder may require intensive interventions, such as in-home supports or even residential placement. Discipline for Teens: Strategies and Solutions Treatment for Behavior Disorders Behavior disorders are usually best treated with an entire team of professionals. Child psychiatrists can be helpful if medication is necessary. Therapists can assist children with learning new skills to manage their emotions and behavior as well as to provide parent training. Special education services may be necessary. Children with behavior disorders and emotional disturbances may require a lot of extra support at school, including specialized classrooms. Sometimes psychologists can perform testing to rule out learning disabilities or other underlying mental health issues that may be contributing to the behavior problems. Behavior disorders can result from a variety of genetic and environmental factors. If you suspect your child may have a behavior disorder, it’s important to speak to your child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician may provide an evaluation and refer your child for further testing or treatment. Useful Strategies to Reduce Your Child's Meltdowns Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Child Behavior Disorders. Updated September 10, 2019. Singh A, Yeh CJ, Verma N, Das AK. Overview of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Children. Health Psychol Res. 2015;3(2):2115. doi:10.4081/hpr.2015.2115 Ghosh A, Ray A, Basu A. Oppositional defiant disorder: current insight. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017;10:353-367. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S120582 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Conduct Disorder. Updated June 2018.